Faculty Information
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Teaching Responsibilities Working in conjunction with COSAM Outreach, Dr. Alexander has recently secured funding through an Auburn Outreach Scholarship Grant to study and promote the participation of female high school students in the areas of physical science and mathematics. The result has been the creation of the L.I.F.E. in Science program. Alexander, T., 2005, eInstruction Classroom Performance System remote keypad instructor companion CD for Contemporary World Regional Geography: Global Connections, Local Voices by Bradshaw, White, and Dymond, New York: McGraw-Hill. Selected References Alexander, T., 2006, An examination of agricultural to urban land conversion in Stanislaus County, California, 1994-2002: Papers of the Applied Geography Conferencse, vol. 29, p. 235-244. Alexander, T., 2005, “Finland,” “Louisiana,” “Historical Geography” in McColl, R., The Encyclopedia of World Geography, New York: Golson Books. Alexander, T., 2002, The deceptive landscape: A study in ethnicity in Hornitos, CA, 1860-1900: California Geographer, vol. 42, p. 41-59. |
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Dr. Toni Alexander,
Assistant Professor
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Phillip L. Chaney, |
Global Geography, Society Culture and the Environment, Economic Geography, U.S. and Canada, Problems of the Southeast, Natural Resource Planning, Physical Geography, Climatology, Environmental Management, Cartography, Map Reading, GIS, Remote Sensing, Field Geography, Natural Hazards. Research Interest and Current Projects Natural Hazards: hurricanes, tornadoes, landuse planning, warning systems and response, public awareness. Coastal landforms: evolution of barrier islands and mainland coasts. Political boundaries: evolution of boundaries and how they impact human activities. Agriculture: evolution and spatial diffusion of agricultural crops and livestock. Selected References Chaney, P.L. 2007. Storm overwash and the knickpoint effect: Northwest Florida Coast, USA.Journal of Coastal Research 23 (1): 247-254. Chaney, P. 2005. Spatial distribution pattern of tornado touchdowns in Alabama. Papers of the Applied Geography Conferences 28: 206-215. Silapajarn, O., Boyd, C.E., Silapajarn, K. and Chaney, P.L. 2004. Effects of channel catfish farming on water quality in Big Prairie Creek, Hale County, Alabama. Bulletin 654, April 2004, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University, Alabama. 51 pp. Chaney, P.L. 2003. Tornado warning siren coverage in Lee County, Alabama: a GIS analysis case study. Papers of the Applied Geography Conferences 26: 352-360. Chaney, P.L. 2002. A climatology of tropical cyclone activity in Alabama: 1886-1999. Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science 73 (1): 7-20. Beck, J.M., Shaw, J.N., Chaney, P.L. and Hairston, J.E. 2002. Image rectification for recompiling and digitizing soil survey maps. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 57 (2): 95-100. Chaney, P.L. and Stone, G.W. 1996. Soundside erosion of a nourished beach and implications for winter cold front forcing: West Ship Island, Mississippi. Shore & Beach 64 (1): 27-33. Stahle, D.W. and Chaney, P.L. 1994. A predictive model for the location of ancient forests. Natural Areas Journal, Summer 1994: 151-158. |
 Dr. Robert B. Cook, Professor Emeritus |
Robert B. Cook taught undergraduate and graduate courses in Economic Geology, Igneous Petrology, and the Geology of Organic Matter. Emphasis is placed on the exploration, evaluation and development of metallic, industrial mineral and non-petroleum fuel resources and related environmental considerations. Research Interest and Current Projects Dr. Cook's research interests include the development of geochemical exploration parameters for base and precious metals in deeply weathered terranes, mineral deposit evaluation, ore mineralogy, environmental geochemistry, water resources, and aggregate resources issues. His work has led to several discoveries of new, potentially economic mineral occurrences in the southeastern United States. Dr. Cook currently is involved with the development of a state-wide geochemical database, the description of Piedmont base- and precious-metal deposits, and petrographic quality-control issues and the integration of geologic models into mine planning in the aggregate industry. Other on-going projects deal with specific problems related to industrial contamination of shallow groundwater. Other Professional Activities Dr. Cook is the representative of higher education on the Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists and is an Executive Editor of Rocks and Minerals magazine. Dr. Cook is interested in the environmental aspects of hydrogeology, having served on teams evaluating the effects of past disposal of potentially hazardous materials for NASA and the Department of Defense. This and similar work for industry has contributed to the design and establishment of groundwater monitoring systems at sites throughout the southeast. Selected References Sterling, J.W., Steltenpohl, M.G., and Cook, R.B., 2005, Geology of the southern exposures of the Beard zone in the Red Hill Quadrangle near Martin dam, Alabama in Steltenpohl, M.G. (Ed.), Southernmost Appalachian Terranes, Alabama and Georgia, Field Guidebook for the Geological Society of America Southeastern Section 2005 Annual Meeting, p. 70-97. Leicht, W.C., and Cook, R.B., 2004, The Eagles Nest Mine, Placer County, California. Mineralogical Record, vol. 35, p. 65-72. Cook, R.B, and Pohwat, P., 2003, Llallagua, Bolivia: Mineralogical associations and habits exhibited by micromounts in the collections of the National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution). Mineralogical Record, vol. 34, p. 115. Turner, J.P., Saunders, J.A., and Cook, R.B., 2002, Petrographic evidence for amorphous silica precursors and geomicrobiologic processes in silicified and pyritized Holocene wood: Geological Society of America Annual Meeting Prorams with Abstract, p. 493. Cook, R.B., Nicolson, B.E., and Bruce, I.R., 2002, Reopening of the Tsumeb Mine, Namibia: Mineralogical Record, v. 33, p. 78. Cook, R.B., and Nicolson, B.E., 2002, The occurrence of dioptase in African mineral deposits: Mineralogical Record, v. 33, p. 77-78. Kelley, J.K., Wu, K.K., Ward, B.A., and Cook, R.B., 2002, Highwall Stability in an open pit stone operation: Proceedings, 21st International Conference on Ground Control in Mining, Morgantown, W.V., p. 228-235. Cook, R.B., 2001, Sperrylite, Talnakh, Noril'sk district, Siberia, Russia: Rocks and Minerals, V. 76, no. 1, p. 40-42. Cook, R.B., 2000, Diamond, Jagersfontein Mine, Free State Province, South Africa: Rocks and Minerals, v. 75, no. 5, p. 344- 349. Hinton, J.L., and Cook, R.B., 1997, Changing times for the deep south aggregate industry: Technical Program and Abstracts, Society of Mining Engineers Annual Meeting, p. 55. Saunders, J.A., Pritchett, M.A., and Cook, R.B., 1997, Geochemistry of biogenic pyrite and ferromanganese stream coatings: a bacterial connection? Geomicrobiology Journal, v. 14, p. 203-217. |
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Dr. Cyrus Dawsey, |
Teaching Responsibilities Research Interest and Projects Dr. Dawsey is the author of over 80 scholarly publications including a book on the settlement of Americans in Brazil immediately after the Civil War. His research interests include: physical and cultural geography of Latin America; GIS and computer cartography; and migration in Brazil. In recent years Dr. Dawsey has received a special grant from Intergraph Corporation providing campus-wide free licensing for use of the Geomedia and Geomedia Professional GIS software. Sample Publications Books: Dawsey, C.B., and Dawsey, J.M., 1995, The Confederados: Old South Immigrants in Brazil, University of Alabama Press. This book describes the post-Civil War migration of former Confederates, the survival of the group's culture, and the influence on Brazilian society. Translated by the authors into Portuguese: Americans: Imigrantes do Velho Sul no Brazil (2005: Editora Unimep). Articles: Dawsey, C.B., 2005, Geography in Eakin, M.C., Almeida, P.R., and Barbosa, R.A. (Eds), Envisioning Brazil: A Guide to Brazilian Studies in the United States, 1945-2003. University of Wisconsin Press, p. 309-344. Dawsey, C.B., 2005, How high am I? Computing elevations from DEMs using Geomedia Professional and Geomedia Grid: Geospatial World Conference Proceedings, Huntsville. Dawsey, C.B, 2002, Estudos geográficos do Brasil nos Estados Unidos e no Canadá: tendências e perspectivas, 1945-2000, in Almeida, P.R., Eakins, M.C., and Barbosa, R.A., (Eds.) O Brasil dos brasilianistas: um guia dos estudos sobre o Brasil nos Estados Unidos. Sao Paulo; editora Paz e Terra, p. 334 -382. Dawsey, C.B, 2003, Tendencias recientes en estudios de Brasil por geografos norteamericanos: Tiempos de America (Spain), vol.10, p. 27-42. Dawsey, C.B., and Dawsey, J.M., 2002, Confederados e Metodistas no Brasil, in Amos Nascimento (Ed.), Brasil: Perspetivas Internacionais, UNIMEP University Press, p. 135-172. Dawsey, C.B, 1993, An American colony in Brazil; Revisited: Geografia, vol. 18, no. 1. Dawsey, C.B., 1992, Migration in Brazil: Research during the 1980's, in Martinson, T.L. (Ed.), Benchmark 1990. Conference of Latin Americanist Geographers, vol 17/18, p.109-116. Dawsey, C.B. and Bailey, W.H., 1992, Roundball geography: A successful grass roots geographic education program: Journal of Geography, vol 91, no. 6. Dawsey, C.B., 1990, Algorithms for uniform range interval classification: Cartographica, vol 27, no. 1, p. 46-53. Dawsey, C.B., 1989, Local change at the urban-rural fringe in southeast Brazil: Journal of Cultural Geography, vol. 9, no.2, p. 91-102. |
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Dr. Willis E. Hames, |
Teaching Responsibilities Dr. Hames uses an integrated approach to geologic work that combines several tools of study (field mapping, petrography, the electron microprobe, fluid inclusion techniques, geochronology, and numerical modeling) that allow him to bring a variety of research experiences into classroom instruction and to design projects that match the interests of individual students. Research Interests and Current Projects A principal interest of Dr. Hames is the interpretation of Earth's tectonic history as recorded in igneous and metamorphic rocks and minerals. The general approach to this work is first to study the regional tectonic history of terrains through field mapping and petrology, and then to proceed with more detailed research into the processes that form or change the chemical and isotopic composition of minerals. For example, Dr. Hames' work in the Appalachians and Caledonides utilizes field relationships and petrology to study the conditions and relationships of the major mountain-building events. Dr. Hames works to enhance the techniques for this type of research by, for example, investigating the processes that can form and modify garnet composition (commonly used as a basis for temperature and pressure estimates), and by developing new methods and applications for isotopic dating. Such work has been supported by NSF funding to Dr. Hames and his colleagues, including Dr. Mark Steltenpohl of Auburn University and Dr. Robert Tracy of Virginia Tech. Much of the current research by Dr. Hames and his students focuses on the evolution of the Early Jurassic 'Central Atlantic Magmatic Province' or CAMP. Graduate students Daniel Morris and William Branton of Auburn University are studying the petrology of basalt dikes in the southeastern USA and buried flows of the South Georgia Rift basin in an effort to characterize the mechanisms of early Pangean rifting and generation of this large igneous province. This NSF-sponsored research is in collaboration with Dr. Carolyn Ruppel of Virginia Tech, with scientists at Florida State University (Dr. Vincent Salters and Dr. Paul Ragland) and the University of California at Berkeley (Dr. Paul Renne). Dr. Hames has worked extensively to enhance and extend the applications of 40Ar/39Ar dating. Technical innovations in mass spectrometry and 40Ar/39Ar analysis over the past decade, such as micro-sampling with a laser, allow us to address new and increasingly detailed questions about Earth's history. Much of Dr. Hames' initial work with laser 40Ar/39Ar techniques dealt with laser dating of muscovite from complexly metamorphosed or slowly cooled plutonic rocks. This work has mainly been pursued with colleagues at MIT (Dr. Kip Hodges and Sam Bowring), the Open University (Dr. Simon Kelley), and Amherst College (Dr. Jack Cheney). Recently, Dr. Hames geochronologic studies have greatly expanded in scope, and he is currently working to date meteorite impact events (through projects with Dr. David King of Auburn University and Dr. Peter Schultz of Brown University), hominid evolution in Indonesia (with Dr. Andy Kramer of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville), and global climate change in the Carboniferous (with Dr. Hermann Pfefferkorn of the University of Pennsylvania). This is an exciting time for geochronologic research, as new technical advances facilitate research collaborations and pose new research questions. Dr. Hames is currently building an automated laser 40Ar/39Ar microanalytical facility at Auburn University, with funding provided by Auburn University. The new geochronologic facility is scheduled to be commissioned in the fall of 2001. Selected References Hames, W.E., Renne, P.R., and Ruppel, C., 2000, New evidence for geologically-instantaneous emplacement of earliest Jurassic Central Atlantic magmatic province basalts on the North American margin. Geology, v. 28, no. 9, p. 859-862. Klein, A.C., Steltenpohl, M.G., Hames, W.E., and Andresen, A., 1999, Ductile and brittle extension in the Lofoten archipelago, north Norway: implications for differences in tectonic style along an ancient collisional orogen. American Journal of Science, v. 299, p. 69-89. Schultz, P.H., Zarate, W. Hames, M., Camilion, C., and King, J., 1998, A 3.3-Ma Impact in Argentina and Possible Consequences. Science, v. 282, p. 2061-2063. Hames, W.E., and Cheney, J.T., 1997, On the retention of 40Ar* in polymetamorphic muscovite. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 61, no. 18, p. 3863-3872. Hames, W.E., and Andresen, A., 1996, The timing of late Paleozoic extension between Norway and Greenland as indicated by laser 40Ar/39Ar muscovite dating. Geology, v. 24, p. 1005-1008. Dinter, D.A., Macfarlane, A., Hames, W., Isachsen, C., Bowring, S., and Royden, L., 1995, U-Pb and 40Ar/39Ar Geochronology of the Symvolon Granodiorite: Implications for the thermal and structural evolution of the Rhodope metamorphic core complex, northeastern Greece. Tectonics, v. 16, no. 4, p. 886-908. Hames, W.E., and Bowring, S.A., 1994, An empirical study of the argon diffusion geometry in muscovite. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 124, p. 161-169. |
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Dr. David T. King, Jr., Professor |
Teaching Responsibilities Research Interests and Current Projects Dr. King's current research (2009-2011) is funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other sources. In the recent past, his research has been funded by the ICDP/USGS (Chesapeake Bay crater), a Dean’s Research Initiative (Wetumpka impact crater), the National Geographic Society (clastic aquifers), Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (Smackover Limestone), and Vulcan Materials Company (Wetumpka impact crater). In addition, his earlier research was funded by Chevron USA, Atlantic-Richfield, American Chemical Society, U.S. CRDF, USDA/CSRS/Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, the Council on Undergraduate Research, USGS/Water Resources Research Institute, General Crude Oil Minerals, Inc., the National Science Foundation, and internal Auburn University Grants-in-Aid. In 2005, Dr. King was appointed by Gov. Riley as a member of the Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists. He was subsequently reappointed to serve until 2010. In 2009, he was elected to the post of Secretary/Treasurer of the Board. In 2007, Dr. King and Jens Ormö hosted a GSA-sponsored international Field Forum at Wetumpka, which brought in 40 scientists from 9 countries. For more information on this conference, go to this link - http://www.geosociety.org/fieldForums/07rpt01.htm. Professional Awards Dr. King received a 2004 Grover C. Murray Award for an outstanding paper in the Transactions of the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies. Selected References King, D. T., Jr. and L. W. Petruny, 2008, Impact stratigraphy of the U.S. Gulf Coastal states: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions, v. 58, p. 503-516. King, D. T., Jr., T. L. Neathery, L. W. Petruny, C. Koeberl, and W. E. Hames, 2002, Shallow marine-impact origin for the Wetumpka structure (Alabama, USA): Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 202, p. 41-549. |
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Dr. Ming-Kuo Lee, |
Ming-Kuo Lee teaches undergraduate courses in Physical Geology and Environmental Geology. At the advanced undergraduate and graduate levels, he teaches courses in Hydrogeology, Groundwater Modeling, and Mineral Resources and Environment. These courses emphasize principles of hydrological sciences and their applications in environmental protection and in petroleum and minerals exploration. Research Interest and Current Projects Dr. Lee's research spans many areas in hydrogeology and environmental geology. Active research involves: (1) groundwater geochemistry and microbiology; (2) in situ bioremediation of metals-contaminated groundwater; (3) basin hydrology modeling; and (4) earthquake hydrology. Selected References (*student contribution) Lee, M.-K., Griffin*, J., Saunders, J.A., Wang, Y., Jean, J., 2006, Reactive transport of trace elements and isotopes in Alabama coastal plain aquifers, Journal of Geophysical Research-Biogeosciences, in press. Hansom*, J., and Lee, M.-K., 2005, Effects of hydrocarbon generation, basal heat flow, and sediment compaction on overpressure development: A numerical study, Petroleum Geosciences, v. 11, 353-360. Penny*, E., Lee, M.-K., and Morton, C., 2003, Groundwater and microbial processes of the Alabama coastal plain aquifers: Water Resources Research, v. 39(11), 1320, doi:10.1029/2003WR001963. Lee, M.-K., and Saunders, J. A., 2003, Effects of pH on metals precipitation and sorption: Field bioremediation and geochemical modeling approaches: Vadose Zone Journal, v. 2, 177-185. Lee, M.-K., and Williams*, D. D., 2000, Paleohydrology of the Delaware basin, western Texas: Overpressure development, hydrocarbon migration, and ore genesis: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 84, 961-974. |
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Dr. Ronald D. Lewis, |
At the undergraduate level, Dr. Lewis teaches Historical Geology and Principles of Paleontology, an introductory course in paleobiology. He also teaches Invertebrate Paleontology at the advanced-undergraduate and graduate level. This course emphasizes fossil preservation (taphonomy) and includes laboratory experiments. At the graduate level, Dr. Lewis and Dr. Wolf teach a professional development course called Geocommunication, a required course focusing on the journal article and research proposal. He also teaches the carbonate portion of Facies Analysis and Sequence Stratigraphy, and along with Dr. Savrda, he teaches a graduate seminar known as Issues in Paleontology. Directed Studies courses taught by Dr. Lewis include a course in Actualistic Paleontology, the study of modern-day organisms to better interpret life of the geologic past, and a field course in Carbonate Depositional Systems at San Salvador Bahamas. Research Interests and Current Projects Dr. Lewis' research deals primarily with the taphonomy of echinoderms and other invertebrates. Dr. Lewis is a strong advocate of the actualistic approach in paleontology, so present-day invertebrates are studied in their natural habitat and are often the subjects of field experiments. Currently, Dr. Lewis and his graduate students are studying the ecology and taphonomy of modern-day large benthic foraminifera at the outer islands of the Bahamas. The echinoid (sea urchin) fauna of the Bahamas is another current research interest of Dr. Lewis. Cretaceous and tertiary echinoid taphonomy are closely related research interests. Since coming to Auburn University, Dr. Lewis has established a program of teaching and research at the island of San Salvador in the Bahamas, applying the principles of actualistic paleontology to Recent and Pleistocene deposits there. To date, four M.S. theses have been completed based on student research done there, and three more are in progress. This program has been funded by Auburn University, the National Science Foundation, AAPG, and GSA. Dr. Lewis and Dr. Bruce Panuska of Mississippi State University recently edited and published the proceedings volume from the 11th Symposium on the Geology of the Bahamas and Other Carbonate Regions, which includes a good sampling of the varied research done at San Salvador by researchers from across the country. Dr. Lewis is also pursuing his interest in the history of actualistic research. Recently the focus has been on the life and contributions of Rudolf Richter. Other Professional Activities Dr. Lewis is the co-author of a well-received laboratory manual for Historical Geology (Deciphering Earth History: Exercises in Historical Geology), with R.A. Gastaldo and C.E. Savrda, now in its third edition). Selected References Lewis, R.D., 2004, Foraminiferal assemblages and reef-sediment petrographic criteria as evidence for relative distance from shore for Pleistocene reefs, San Salvador, Bahamas: Preliminary Results, in Lewis, R.D., and Panusca, B.C., eds., Proceedings of the 11th Symposium on the Geology of the Bahamas and Other Carbonate Regions, June 6-10, 2002: Gerace Research Center, San Salvador, Bahamas, p. 83-94. Peebles, M. W., and R.D. Lewis, 1991, Surface textures of benthic foraminifera from San Salvador, Bahamas. Journal of Foraminiferal Research, v. 21, p. 285-292. Lewis, R. D., C. R. Chambers, and M. W. Peebles, 1990, Grain morphology and surface textures of Recent and Pleistocene crinoid plates, San Salvador, Bahamas: PALAIOS, v. 5, p. 570-579. Peebles, M. W., and Lewis, R. D., 1988, Differential infestation of shallow-water benthic foraminifera by microboring organisms: Potential taxonomic biases in preservation potential: PALAIOS, v. 3, p. 345-351. ECHINOIDS Schein, J.P., and R.D. Lewis, 2001, The relationship between living echinoid populations and their skeletal remains in the sea-floor sediment, San Salvador, Bahamas, in Greenstein, J.G., and Carney, C.K., Proceedings of the 10th Symposium on the Geology of the Bahamas and Other Carbonate Regions, June 8-12, 2000: Gerace Research Center, San Salvador, Bahamas, p. 163-174. Lewis, R.D., J.P. Schein, and M.T. Sadler, 2000. Echinoid skeletal fragments in sea-floor sediment, San Salvador, Bahamas: Fidelity studies using sand-sized material. Geological Society of America, Annual Meeting, Reno, Nevada, November 2000. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, vol. 32, no 7, p. A446. Lewis, R.D., and M. Sadler, 1997, Meoma ventricosa (Echinodermata): A case study in classical actuopaleontology. Geological Society of America 46th Annual Southeastern Section, March 27-28, 1997. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, vol. 29, no. 3, p. 31-32. HISTORY OF GEOLOGY Lewis, R.D., 2004, Why was Rudolf Richter's Aktuopaläontologie not embraced by U.S. paleontologists? Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, vol. 36, no. 5, p. 245. Lewis, R.D., 2003, Rudolf Richter and today's actualistic paleontology: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, vol. 35, no. 6, p. 206. |
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Luke J. Marzen |
Research Interest and Current Projects Dr. Marzen’s specialty is in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems. He is a physical geographer who has spent much of his career investigating the relationships between human activity and the natural environments using Remote Sensing and GIS. He has developed environmental models predicting non-point source pollution in agricultural watersheds, models seeking to explain how and why disturbed landscapes recover, and recently has been working on Remote Sensing methods to forecast drought in order to improve water resource management. Dr. Marzen is also branching out recently in his research and received NASA funding to use satellite imagery to look for Marine Impact craters that were formed when Mars had shallow oceans. Selected References *Styers, D.M., A.H. Chappelka, L.J. Marzen and G.L. Somers,(in press). Scale matters: Indicators of ecological health along the urban-rural interface near Columbus, Georgia. Ecological Indicators, v. 10, p. 224-233. *M. Shamsudduha, L.J. Marzen, A. Uddin, M.-K. Lee and J.A. Saunders, 2009, Groundwater arsenic-contamination in Bangladesh: Control of surface elevation, slope and groundwater gradient on spatial arsenic distribution. Environmental Geology, v. 57, p. 1521-1535. *Bhattarai, Gandhi, Puneet Srivastava, Luke Marzen, Diane Hite, and Upton Hatch, 2008, Assessment of economic and water quality impacts of land use change using a simple bioeconomic model. Environmental Management, v. 42, n. 1, p. 122-131. Marzen, L.J., 2006, A remote sensing assessment of Mississippi coastal change after Hurricane Katrina. Proceedings of the Applied Geography Conferences, v. 29, p. 71-80. Bhuyan, S.J., J.K. Koelliker, L.J. Marzen , J.A. Harrington, 2003, An integrated approach for water quality assessment of watersheds. Environmental Modeling and Software, v. 18, p.473-484. Bhuyan, S.J., L.J. Marzen, J.K. Koelliker, J.A. Harrington, Jr. P.L. Barnes, 2002, Assessment of runoff and sediment yield using remote sensing, GIS, and AGNPS. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, v. 57, n. 6, *designates graduate student co-authors. |
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Dr. James Saunders |
Jim Saunders teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in aqueous and environmental geochemistry, general geochemistry, and economic geology. Research Interest and Current Projects Dr. Saunders' research involves the geochemistry of metals in shallow crustal fluids, including groundwater, sedimentary brines, geothermal systems, and volcanic epithermal systems. Consequently, an integrated approach of rock petrography, isotopic and trace-element geochemical analyses, and numerical computer models are used to investigate these systems. Results have shed new light on the genesis of hydrothermal mineral deposits and the origin of naturally occurring trace metals in groundwater systems. Dr. Saunders' current research interests lie in the interaction of natural bacteria with dissolved metals and organic compounds in groundwater and aquifer minerals. In particular, Dr. Saunders is interested in stimulating naturally occurring sulfate-reducing bacteria under anaerobic conditions to remediate groundwaters contaminated by heavy metals and possibly organic compounds as well. His group has been able to raise the pH, and remove these chalcophile metals as metal-sulfide solid phases, particularly as the (Zn,Cd)S sphalerite and apparently as PbS (galena? or amorphous PbS). Along with Drs. Lee and Uddin, he is currently working on geologic/biogeochemical causes of natural arsenic contamination in groundwater in young sedimentary aquifers in the USA and Bangladesh. This research is supported by the National Science Foundation. Dr. Saunders is also looking at bacterial involvement in certain sediment-hosted ore deposits, such as the Carboniferous carbonate-hosted Zn-Pb-Ag-Ba deposits of Ireland (supported by PRF-ACS). Other Professional Activities Dr. Saunders has been an associate editor of Elsevier's Ore Geology Reviews since 1996. Selected References Southam, G., Saunders, J.A., 2005, Geomicrobiology of metals and implications for ore deposits: Economic Geology 100th Anniverary Issue (in press). Saunders, J.A, Lee, M.-K., and Mohammad, S., 2004, Geochemistry and geomicrobiology of arsenic in Holocene alluvial flood-plain aquifers, USA: Implications for universal causative mechanisms and possible bioremediation, in P. Bhattacharya and J. Bundschuh (eds.) Natural Arsenic in Groundwater, Chapter 25, Taylor and Francis (in press). Saunders, J.A, Lee, M.K., Mohammad, S., Uddin, A., Wilkin, R.T., Fayek, M., Geologic, biologic and hydrologic processes controlling arsenic mobility in Holocene alluvial aquifers: G-Cubed, (in review). Lee, M.-K., Saunders, J.A., Mohammad, S., Wilkin, R.T., Harrington, J., and Lutes, C., 2004, Strategy for bioremediation of arsenic in groundwater: Book chapter, Remediation of Recalcitrant Contaminants, Battelle Press, Columbus, OH, (in press). Saunders, J.A., Mohammad, S., Korte, N.E., Lee, M.-K., Fayek, M., Castle, D., and Barnett, M.O., 2004, Groundwater geochemistry, microbiology, and mineralogy of two arsenic-bearing Holocene alluvial aquifers from the USA: Special Publication of the American Chemical Society (in press). Lee, M.-K., Saunders, J.A., Wilkin, R.T., and Shahnewaz, M., 2004, Geochemical modeling of arsenic speciation and mobilization: Implications for bioremediation: Special Publication of the American Chemical Society (in press). Saunders, J.A, Lee, M-K., Wolf. L.A., Geomicrobiology and geophysics of in situ bioremediation using sulfate-reducing bacteria: Bioremediation Journal (in press). Lee, M.-K.,Saunders, J.A.,Uddin, A., 2003, Geochemical and hydrologic considerations on evolution of groundwaters in a portion of the Mississippi Embayment: Southeastern Geology, v. 42, p. 83-98. Lee, M.-K. And Saunders, J.A., 2003, Effects of pH on metals precipitation and sorption: Field Bioremediation and geochemical modeling approaches: Vadose Zone Journal, v. 2, p. 177-185. |
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Dr. Charles Savrda, |
Chuck Savrda teaches undergraduate courses in Historical Geology, Sedimentary Petrology, and Field Camp. On the graduate level, he teaches Directed Studies in Ichnology and co-teaches Petrology, Geology of Organic Matter, Facies Analysis and Sequence Stratigraphy, Cycles through Earth History, and Issues in Paleontology. Research Interest and Current Projects Dr. Savrda’s research emphasizes trace fossils (ichnofossils or biogenic sedimentary structures) and their use in stratigraphic, paleoenvironmental, and paleoceanographic analyses. Interests include: (1) organic-rich mudrocks and benthic oxygenation histories of Phanerozoic marine basins; (2) orbital-climate forcing and rhythmic bedding in North American Cretaceous chalk/marl sequences; (3) Recent and Cretaceous marginal marine facies and associated fossil-lagerstätten; and (4) Cretaceous and Tertiary sequence stratigraphy and the ichno-sedimentologic record of sea-level dynamics in marine strata. Current research funding derives from both NSF and ACS-PRF. NSF-sponsored studies (with Dr. Ron Lewis and graduate students) are focusing on a Cretaceous fossil-lagerstätte—its biota and modes of preservation and the formative processes responsible for exceptional preservation. With PRF support, he and a team of undergraduate assistants are exploring ichnofabrics in fair-weather and storm-related facies in Cretaceous and Tertiary shallow and marginal marine sequences of the eastern Gulf coast plain. Other Professional Activities Dr. Savrda currently serves as associate editor of the journal Ichnos. In the recent past, he has served as Co-Editor of the SEPM journal Palaios, as a distinguished lecturer for the Paleontological Society, and as a scientific crew member on ODP Leg 174A. He is the co-author of a well-received laboratory manual for Historical Geology (Deciphering Earth History- Exercises in Historical Geology, 3rd Edition, with R.A. Gastaldo and R.D. Lewis), and is active in various K-12 outreach activities (Science Olympiad, AUExplore, etc.). Selected Recent References Savrda, C.E., in press, Taphonomy of trace fossils: for Miller, W., III, ed., Trace Fossils: Concepts, Problems, Prospects, Elsevier (submitted December 2005). Savrda, C.E., *Counts, J., *McCormick, O., *Urash, R., and *Williams, J., 2005, Log-grounds and Teredolites in transgressive deposits, Eocene Tallahatta Formation (southern Alabama, U.S.A.): Ichnos, v. 12, p. 47-57. Savrda, C.E., and Uddin, A., 2005, Large Macaronichnus and their behavioral implications (Cretaceous Eutaw Formation, Alabama, U.S.A.): Ichnos, v. 12, p. 47-57. Savrda, C.E., and *Nanson, L., 2003, Ichnology of fair-weather and storm deposits in an Upper Cretaceous passive-margin estuary (Eutaw Formation, western Georgia, USA): Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 202, p. 67-93. Savrda, C.E., 2003, Zoophycos, systematic stratigraphic leaking, and lamella stratigraphy: Do some spreiten contain a unique record of high-frequency depositional dynamics?: in Harries, P., ed., High-Resolution Approaches in Stratigraphic Paleontology, Topics in Geobiology Series, Volume 21, Kluwer Academic Pub., p. 129-148. Savrda, C.E., Browning, J.V., Krawinkel, H., and Hesselbo, S.P., 2001, Firmground ichnofabrics in deep-water sequence stratigraphy, Tertiary clinoform-toe deposits, New Jersey slope. PALAIOS, v. 16, p. 294-305. *designates graduate student co-authors |
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Dr. Mark Steltenpohl, |
Professor Steltenpohl teaches undergraduate courses in Physical Geology, Structural Geology, Independent Field Mapping and Field Methods. On the advanced level and graduate level he teaches courses in Advanced Structural Analysis, Tectonics, and Geodynamics. Emphasis is place on field studies, geometric analyses, petrofabrics, phase petrology, and 40Ar-39Ar thermochronology. Research Interest and Current Projects Dr. Steltenpohl's primary research interest lie in the tectonic evolution of continental crust within collisional mountain systems, particularly the Appalachian-Caledonian chain. He maintains active research in the southernmost Appalachians, U.S.A., and in the northernmost Caledonides of arctic Norway. With continued support from the Norwegian petroleum industry (Basin Thermochronology Project - BAT), Dr. Steltenpohl and his students are actively engaged in field and petrologic studies aimed at deducing the extensional history of the north-central Norwegian margin. Last summer (2000) funding was switched to the "other side" of the Caledonian mountain belt in East Greenland where the oil companies have renewed interest. Work in the Lofoten Islands of Arctic Norway is on slate for the summer of 2001. Dr. Steltenpohl also has maintained Department of Interior grants (USGS-EDMAP Program) to map bedrock and analyze structures in the Alabama foreland-fold-and-thrust belt (Valley and Ridge Province), Talladega slate belt, and the high-grade Piedmont Province. This work is in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Alabama (USGS-STATEMAP Project) and is aimed at characterizing small- and large-scale structures in the area to characterize the geological history, delineating possible contamination of ground water, and supplying data to planners coping with rapid urban expansion. Other Professional Activities Professional Steltenpohl has cooperative projects that involve workers and facilities at the following institutions: The Alabama Geological Survey; The U.S. Geological Survey; the Norwegian Geological Survey; the Polish Geological Survey; the University of Wroclaw, Poland; the University of Oslo, Norway; the University of Tromso, Norway; the University or North Carolina; University of Florida; Florida State University; and Sandia National Labs, Albuquerque, N.M. Selected References Coker, J.E., Steltenpohl, M.G., Andresen, A., 2000, The geology of western Ullsfjord, north Norway, with emphasis on the development of an inverted metamorphic gradient at the top of the Lyngen nappe complex: Norsk geologisk tidsskrift, v. 80, p. 111-128. Klein, A., Steltenpohl, M.G., Hames, W.E., and Andresen, A., 1999, Ductile and brittle extension in the southern Lofoten archipelago, north Norway: Implications for differences in tectonic style along an ancient collisional margin: American Journal of Science, v. 299, p. 69-89. Hanley, T., and Steltenpohl, M.G., 1998, Mylonites and other fault-related rocks of the Pine Mountain and Uchee belts of western Georgia and eastern Alabama: Atlanta Geol. Society Field Trip Guidebook, 33 p. Hanley, T.B., Chalokwu, C.I., and Steltenpohl, M.G., 1997, Constraints on the location of the Carolina/ Avalon terrane boundary in the southernmost exposed Appalachians, western Georgia and eastern Alabama, in Glover, L., III, and Gates, A.E., Central and Southern Appalachian Sutures: Results of the EDGE Project and Related Studies, Boulder, Colorado: Geological Society of America Special Paper 314, p. 15-24. Coker, J.E., Steltenpohl, M.G., Andresen, A., and Kunk, M.J., 1995, An 40Ar/39Ar thermochronology of the Ofoten-Troms region: Implications for terrane amalgamation and extensional collapse of the northern Scandinavian Caledonides: Tectonics, v. 14, p. 435-447. |
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Dr. Ashraf Uddin, |
Teaching Responsibilities Teaching Responsibilities Research Interest and Current Projects Dr. Uddin's principal research interests are to evaluate the unroofing history of the eastern Himalayas and the Indo-Burman ranges by incorporating detailed sedimentary petrology, including both modal analysis of framework grains and semi-quantitative dense mineral studies, mineral chemistry of selected dense-mineral grains, bulk sediment geochemistry, isotopic fingerprinting, detrital geochronology, using 40Ar/39Ar and U/Pb methods, magnetostratigraphy and paleomagnetic studies on the sediments from the eastern foredeeps of the Himalayas (Bengal and Assam basins). In collaboration with Drs. Jim Saunders and Ming-Kuo Lee, Dr. Uddin has started a project on mineralogical profiling of arsenic-contaminated sediments and in-situ bioremediation of arsenic contaminated groundwater in Bangladesh. An elaborate summary of these research projects is provided in the following web link: http://www.auburn.edu/hrl/. These projects are funded by the US National Science Foundation. External research collaborators for these projects include, Drs. Clark Burchfiel and Sam Bowring from MIT, Dr. John Geissman from University of New Mexico, Dr. Neil Opdyke from University of Florida, and Drs. Steve Kish and Roy Odom from Florida State University. Dr. Uddin has recently started a research project on provenance history of clastic wedges from Alleghenian collisional basins of the southern Appalachians, with Drs. Bill Hames, Chuck Savrda and Mark Steltenpohl. Dr. Uddin is also interested in sediment characteristics from the perspective of hydrocarbon generation, migration and accumulation in reservoirs. Selected References Uddin, A., Kumar, P., Sarma, J.N., and Akhter, S.H., 2007, Heavy-mineral constraints on provenance of Cenozoic sediments from the foreland basins of Assam, India and Bangladesh: Erosional history of the eastern Himalayas and the Indo-Burman ranges, in Mange, M.A., and Wright, D.T., eds., Heavy minerals in use, v. 58, Developments in Sedimentology, Elsevier, Amsterdam, p. 823-847. Saunders, J.A., Lee, M-K, Uddin, A., Mohammad, S., Wilkin, R., Fayek, M and Korte, N., 2005, Natural arsenic contamination of Holocene alluvial aquifers by linked tectonic, weathering, and microbial processes: Geochemistry, Geophysics and Geosystems: vol. 6, Q04006, doi:10.1029/2004GC000803. Savrda, C.E., and Uddin, A., 2005, Large Macaronichnus and their behavioral implications (Cretaceous Eutaw Formation, Alabama, U.S.A.): Ichnos, v. 12, p. 1-9. Zahid, K.M., and Uddin, A., 2005, Influence of overpressure on formation velocity evaluation of Neogene strata of the eastern Bengal basin, Bangladesh: Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, v. 25, p. 419-429. Uddin, A. and Lundberg, N., 2004, Miocene sedimentation and subsidence during continent-continent collision, Bengal basin, Bangladesh: Sedimentary Geology, v. 164, p. 131-146. Lee, M.-K., Saunders, J.A., and Uddin, A., 2003, Geochemical and hydrologic considerations of evolution of groundwaters in a portion of the Mississippi embayment: Southeastern Geology, v. 42, p. 83-98. |
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Dr. Lorraine W. Wolf, |
Lorraine W. Wolf teaches undergraduate courses in Physical Geology, Engineering Geology, and Applied Geophysics. On the graduate level, she teaches courses in Geophysics and Tectonics. The Applied Geophysics course places special emphasis on practical approaches to environmental and geotechnical problems. The laboratory component of the course offers geology and engineering students hands-on experience with modern geophysical equipment. Research Interest and Current Projects Professor Wolf's research interests are in earthquake and controlled-source seismology and in the use of geophysical methods in engineering and environmental assessments. She and her students have engaged in a number of geophysical investigations: 1) crustal structure and evolution of western Alaska and eastern Siberia using seismic data collected in the Bering Strait (supported by the ACS Petroleum Research Fund and collaborative with Stanford, the USGS, the Univ. of Alaska, and Michigan State Univ.); 2) earthquake-induced liquefaction in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (collaborative with Tuttle & Associates and Univ. of Memphis); 3) geophysical evidence of sulfate-reducing bacteria in Coastal Plain aquifers; 4) geophysical mapping of chemical pollutants at landfill sites; and 5) hydrologically-triggered seismicity. Other Professional Activities Dr. Wolf has participated in high school teacher training workshops organized by Georgia Tech and co-sponsored by the NSF, the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS), Princeton University, and the Eisenhower Foundation. Workshops provided Alabama and Georgia teachers with basic information in seismology and familiarized them with tools, software and techniques for use in their classrooms. Wolf has served on an NSF review panel for the Undergraduate Education Instrument and Laboratory Improvement Program. This program funded the purchase of the state-of-the-art geophysical equipment now being used for student research at Auburn. Prof. Wolf continues as the AU representative to the IRIS Board of Directors. Selected References Wolf, L.W., McCaleb, R.C., Stone, D.B., Brocher, T.M., Fujita, K., and Klemperer, S., Crustal structure across the Bering Strait: Onshore recordings of a marine multichannel seismic survey, in Miller, E. L., and A. Grantz, eds., Tectonic Evolution of the Bering Shelf-Chukchi Sea-Arctic Margin and Adjacent Landmasses, Geological Society of America Special Paper, in press. Gomberg, J., and L. Wolf, 1999, A possible cause for an improbable earthquake: The 1997 Mw 4.9 southern Alabama earthquake and hydrocarbon recovery: Geology, v. 27, p. 367-370. Tuttle, M. P., J. Collier, L. W. Wolf, and R. H. Lafferty, 1999, New evidence for a large earthquake in the New Madrid seismic zone between A.D. 1400 and 1670: Geology, v. 27, p. 7771-7774. Wolf, L., J. Collier, P. Bodin, and M. Tuttle, 1998, Geophysical reconnaissance of earthquake-induced liquefaction features in the New Madrid seismic zone: Journal of Applied Geophysics, v. 39, p. 121-129. Lee, M-K., and L. W. Wolf, 1998, Analysis of fluid pressure propagation in heterogeneous rocks: Implications for hydrologically-induced earthquakes: Geophysical Research Letters, v. 25, p. 2329-2332. Wolf, L. W., C. A. Rowe, and R. B. Horner, 1997, Periodic seismicity near Mt. Ogden on the Alaska-British Columbia border: A case for hydrologically-triggered earthquakes? Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, v. 87, p. 1473-1483. Wolf, L. W., M. G. Steltenpohl, and J. Plescia, 1997, Geophysical investigation of a "suspect" impact crater in Wetumpka, Alabama, 1997, in Neathery, T. L., D. T. King, Jr., and L. W. Wolf, The Wetumpka Impact Structure and Related Features, Southeastern Section of the Geological Society of America Field Trip Guidebook, p. 57-68. Saunders, J. A., R. C. Thomas, M-K. Lee, and L. W. Wolf, 1997, Geologic evidence for the utility of sulfate-reducing bacteria for in situ anaerobic bioremediation of heavy metal contaminated groundwater, in Proceedings of the Fourth International On Site and In Situ Bioremediation Symposium, New Orleans, LA, v. 3, p. 379-384. |
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Dr. Haibo Zou, |
Teaching Responsibilities Research Interest and Current Projects Dr. Zou's varied research interests include the petrogenesis of igneous rocks; U-Th disequilibrium; Nd, Sr, Pb, and O isotope and trace element geochemistry; chemical geodynamics; East Asian geology; time scales of magma chamber processes; volcanology; quantitative geochemical modeling; mass spectrometry, including thermal-ionization, secondary-ionization, and plasma-ionization mass spectrometry. He has an active NSF-funded project, “Melting Beneath Continents in Diffuse Igneous Provinces.” More specific research interests are given as follows. (1) Petrology and Chemistry of the Earth and Planets (2) Geochemical Modeling Sample Publications Monograph Zou, H.B., 2007, Quantitative Geochemistry, London : Imperial College Press, 287pp. Selected Papers Zou, H.B., Fan, Q.C., and Yao , Y.P., 2008, U–Th systematics of dispersed young volcanoes in NE China : Asthenosphere upwelling caused by piling up and upward thickening of stagnant Pacific slab. Chemical Geology, v. 255, p. 134-142. Zou, H.B., McKengan, K.D., Xu, X.S. and Zindler, A., 2004, Fe-Al-rich tridymite-hercynite xenoliths with positive cerium anomalies: Preserved lateritic paleosols and implications for Miocene climate. Chemical Geology, v. 207, p. 101-116. Zou, H.B., Reid, M.R., Liu, Y.S., Yao , Y.P., Xu, X.S. and Fan, Q.C., 2003, Constraints on the origin of historic potassic basalts from northeast China by U-Th disequilibrium data. Chemical Geology, v. 200, p. 189-201. Zou, H.B., Zindler A., and Niu Y., 2002, Constraints on melt movement beneath the East Pacific Rise from 230Th-238U disequilibrium. Science. 295, p. 107-110. Zou, H.B., and Reid M.R., 2001, Quantitative modeling of trace element fractionation during incongruent melting. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, vol. 65, p. 153-162. Zou, H.B., Zindler A., Xu, X.S., and Qi, Q., 2000, Major and trace element, and Nd, Sr, Pb isotope studies of Cenozoic basalts in southeastern China : Mantle sources, regional variations and tectonic significance. Chemical Geology, vol. 171, p. 33-47. Zou, H.B., and Zindler, A., 2000, Theoretical studies of 238U-230Th-226Ra and 235U-231Pa disequilibria in young lavas produced by mantle melting. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta , vol. 64, p. 1809-1817. Zou, H.B., 2000, Modeling of trace element fractionation during non-modal dynamic melting with linear variations in mineral/melt distribution coefficients. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta , vol. 64, p. 1095-1102. Zou, H.B., 1998, Trace element fractionations during modal and nonmodal dynamic partial melting and open system melting: a mathematical treatment. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta , vol. 62, p. 1937-1945 Zou, H.B., and Zindler A. (1996) Constraints on the degree of dynamic partial melting and source composition using concentration ratios in magmas. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta , vol. 60, p. 711-717. |
